ALICANTE CARNIVAL February to March The wonderful people of Alicante invite you to their fabulous carnival. The Alicante/Alacante Carnival is the world upside down, the denial of the everyday, suspending taboos and prohibitions, and will allow all excesses. The symbols and erotic sex are associated with frequent and folkloric events that take place during this period. Costumes and masks are essential components of this feast. In Alicante "The More-Face," is based on a story whose resemblance to reality is pure imagination of the reader or viewer… Narra (The Narrator), which at the time of the Middle Ages, visited the Villa Alicantina their majestades… then King and Queen, of course. The Kings came to this Villa to convene the contest crafts in which to reward the more-Face, the best artwork to be awarded during the night of Dance Masks, the one character who was popularly elected by nobles and commoners on the day around backwards… Magno The event would be organized by the Bufona Court of Alicante, with various performances of the town, especially the Choir Works Molestas; artisans create their masks to compete, and the people elect the bearer of the Over - Cara, a piece of incalculable value that become part of the Treasury of the Crown. A well-known craftsman of the village, which had commissioned the project of a Convention Center, decided to submit his work. Both work ended with his inspiration, and five Hadas he appeared at dusk to stimulate their creations… Each of them contributed the most prominent of his person, and among all got the craftsman won the contest. Las Hadas each had their preferred candidate to bear More-Face, and on the night of the Dance of Masks, the people decided… The day already had everything upside down and the Chosen Over-Face… El Pregonero of the Court, gave the new sound began… Carnival.

Carnival and election of the ´QueenThe annual 'Carnaval' in Benidorm (also known as Mardi Gras or Pancake Tuesday) takes place this year on Saturday 20th to 22nd February. It's held to mark the start of lent and has evolved into a massive celebration where everyone dons fancy dress and has a right good time.

There's a small change in proceedings this year as the traditional procession round town with lots of floats, marching bands and music has changed route slightly. The parade will start at 22.00 on the Saturday from Tomás Ortuño street and continue along Venus, Ruzafa and Herrerías streets before ending up in the new town hall square (at the old town end of l'Aiguera Park) where there'll be dancing to an orchestra to the wee small hours.